if you're a runner, footy player or love high impact impact workouts and constantly suffer from shin splints, it could be medial tibial stress syndrome (mtss)
WHAT IS MTSS?
MTSS is a repetitive stress injury that causes pain along the inner edge of your shinbone (tibia). It’s often described as a dull, aching pain that flares up during or after exercise, especially running or jumping.
Think of your shinbone like a bridge: if the supports at either end (i.e. your foot and hip) are unstable or misaligned, the bridge experiences extra stress to compensate.
WHAT CAUSES MTSS?
While training errors (like doing too much too soon) are well-known causes, a major overlooked factor is foot mechanics.
Common foot issues that lead to MTSS
- Flat feet (pronated / loose): causes your tibia to twist excessively with each step, increasing stress along the bone.
- Bunions (Hallux Valgus): misalignment of the big toe can change your gait pattern and loading mechanics.
- Big toe stiffness: the big toe plays a crucial role in balance, propulsion, weight distribution and a huge part in the kinetic chain. Stiffness of the big toe can impact the entire lower body and cause issues in the shins, knees, hips and even lower back.
WHO IS MOST AT RISK?
- Runners: especially those training for events and increasing the training load / mileage.
- Athletes in running based sports: AFL, soccer, netball, basketball and tennis.
- Dancers or gym-goer: especially if performing high impact activities.
- People who walk along distances without supportive shoes
- Military recruits and fitness boot participants
These groups often have physical loads and tend to ignore early warning signs of poor biomechanics until the pain stops them in their tracks.
WHY ADDRESSING THE WHOLE KINETIC CHAIN MATTERS
Your feet and shins don’t work alone. Problems in your hips, pelvis and back can alter your gait and put a strain on your tibia.
That’s why we look above and below the site of pain.
HOW PHYSIOTHERAPY HELPS SHIN SPLINTS?
At Physio Physique, we use Structural Physiotherapy to not only treat the pain but fix the root cause.
This unique treatment assessment and treatment process involves:
- Foot and lower limb assessment: we assess the alignment of your foot, ankle and big toe joint to identify imbalances.
- Hands-on techniques: soft tissue release, joint mobilisation therapy (JMT), dry needling (if needed) to re-align joints and reduce tension.
- Shockwave therapy: a powerful electrotherapy device to help settle pain and improve healing.
- Corrective exercise: targeted exercises for the intrinsic muscles of the foot, hips and core.
MTSS can become a frustrating cycle unless the underlying cause (often your feet) is addressed.
